Myrtle Jones Obituary

Myrtle (Myrt) May Torneden Jones, 91, Tonganoxie, passed away on November 11, 2025. She was the daughter of Carl Adolph Torneden and Mabel May Beaman Torneden. She was born in their rural home in Linwood, Kansas on July 26, 1934. Myrt met the love of her life, Marvin Jones, while attending Linwood High School. She a freshman and he a senior, were smitten with one another. Their destiny was sealed to be together forever and always. They married on December 27, 1953 while Marvin was home on leave from the Navy. They were the proud parents of three children. Angie (Terry) Reiling, McLouth, Jeff (Kathy) Jones, McLouth and Gayla (Dan) Strafuss, Manhattan. They were also blessed with 11 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. Most all were held as babies by Myrt. Myrt was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather, brother Carl Alden Torneden and sister Lena Nadine Garrison. Her brother John Pettengill (Terry) resides in rural Linwood.

Myrt and her sister worked as switchboard operators at the Linwood Telephone Company early in their working career. Myrt worked many years for the Veteran's Administration and began as a medical transcriptionist. She was promoted to supervisor of psychiatric records before retirement. In her mid 40's she graduated from Kansas City Kansas Community College with a degree in general studies. Myrt always had a curious mind and a love of learning, a love that she passed down through generations of college graduates and trade professionals. Myrt's work ethic was exemplary. She would say; "A job worth doing is worth doing right". Upon her retirement, Myrt enjoyed spending time with family. She and Marvin were often seen in the stands cheering various grandchildren and great grandchildren on. They also had a love of travel, having gone to Ireland, an Alaskan cruise, and even visiting Santa at the North Pole.

Her grandchildren remember the many lipstick kisses they received from their grandma. She was very loving and affectionate with all of them.

Through the years she and Marvin enjoyed running their cattle operation, showing cattle, gardening, square dancing as members of the Tonganoxie Twirlers, and found much joy with their beloved Belgian horses, taking family on simple hayrides, and elaborately decorated wagons for Christmas parades. As a small girl she enjoyed helping her father on the hay wagon, milking cows, and doing farm chores. She appreciated a lifetime of being connected to the treasures of our earth, and taught her children to love nature, to respect and be kind to other living creatures. Myrt enjoyed reading, singing, playing the piano/organ, completing crossword puzzles. She loved to fish. Her secret for success was to use grasshoppers as bait. Myrt was a leader with Fairmount 4-H Club and was a 4-H member in her youth. She enjoyed that time, teaching the values of the organization. She loved to attend the Leavenworth County 4-H Fair. Myrt was an avid Kansas State Wildcat fan. She was also a Linwood Bulldog and McLouth Bulldog fan. Purple runs deep in this family. Myrt had been residing in a memory care facility this past year and she could always be seen trying to help other residents. Her caring nature continued to be strong.

Services will be at the First Baptist Church in McLouth 11am Monday November 17, 2025. Visitation will start 1 hour prior to the funeral at the church. Burial will be in Wildhorse Cemetery, McLouth, KS. In lieu of flowers family suggests memorial contributions to the Leavenworth County 4-H, the Alzheimer's Association or Ascend Health and Hospice of Topeka.